Men’s lacrosse: Schwartz (La Salle) named a co-captain for Harvard

Chris Wojcik Head Coach for Harvard Men’s Lacrosse, has announced that seniors Joe Petrucci and Peter Schwartz (La Salle) have been voted by their teammates to serve as captains for the 2014 season.

“I am pleased to announce Joe Petrucci and Peter Schwartz as our team captains for the 2013-2014 school year,” Wojcik stated. “Joe and Peter are young men of high character, and they have established themselves as strong leaders over their Harvard lacrosse careers. Both seniors possess an outstanding work ethic, a commitment to success, and are respected members of the overall Harvard community.”

Petrucci, a defenseman, has started 23 of 37 games played throughout his career including 13 of 14 games a year ago. The Far Hills, N.J., native recorded career-highs in both ground balls (23) and caused turnovers (11) as a junior, and was routinely called upon to defend the opposition’s top scoring threat. Petrucci’s play helped limit opponents to 9.97 gpg while killing off 67.9 percent of penalties, the 21st best rate in the NCAA.

Schwartz, an All-Ivy League and NEILA All-New England second team selection a year ago, ranked second on the team in points (34), goals (18) and assists (16) as a junior. Each of those totals represented a new career-high for the midfielder who finished the year with three hat tricks and six multiple-goal performances. The former All-Phillylacrosse.com pick and member of the two-time state champion Explorer has seen action in a total of 37 games throughout his injury-plagued career, notching 25 goals and 29 assists for a total of 54 points.

The Harvard men’s lacrosse team will open its fall slate Tuesday, Sept. 17 in preparation for scrimmages against Army and St. John’s Saturday, Sept. 19.